ABSTRACT
This study aimed to analyze the use of public open spaces and physical activity levels among children and adolescents in the city of Rivera, Uruguay. A total of 88 target areas located in 29 public open spaces were observed using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). Systematic observations were made at different times of the day, covering both weekdays and weekends, for a total of 792 records in each public open spaces. Characteristics of the users were recorded according to gender (male and female), age group (infancy to early childhood 0-5 years, middle childhood 6-12 years, adolescence 13-18 years) and physical activity level (sedentary, moderate, or vigorous activity). Logistic regression was employed, considering variables such as day, period, type, and conditions, to assess factors associated with user presence and activity, with separate analyses by gender. Most of the users were adolescents (59.8%) between 13 and 18 years, 67.2% were male and half of the users were sedentary (50.1%). Furthermore, the majority of participants used the target areas on weekends (96.2%), particularly in the evening (99.2%). Multivariate analyses revealed elevated odds of having active girls and boys in the target area during the afternoon and evening, particularly in organized and equipped areas, compared to the morning. Based on this information, it is worth proposing the need to promote the active use of public open spaces in the city of Rivera (Uruguay).
ABSTRACT
Background/objective: Uruguay was enrolled in the fourth edition of the Global Matrix on physical activity-related indicators in children and adolescents with the aim of producing its second Report Card and analyses on the ten core indicators. Methods: A harmonized development process proposed by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance was followed. The best available scientific and grey literature was systematically searched for all the indicators included in the Report Card (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behavior, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government). A grading scale ranging from A to F was used. A new approach was used to grade the Government indicator according to the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance guidance. Results: New information was identified and 7 out of 10 indicators were graded, while there were 3 out of 10 indicators with incomplete information to be graded. An gender-based analysis was included in this second Report Card, providing separate grades for 5 of the indicators [girls/boys]: Overall Physical Activity [F/F], Organized Sport Participation [F/D], Active Transportation [C/C], Sedentary Behavior [D+/D+], and Community and Environment [D+/C-]. The comparison between 2018 and 2022 analysis showed a decrease in Overall Physical Activity and Organized Sport Participation, while the sources of influence School and Government obtained a higher grade in comparison with the previous Report Card. Conclusion: Uruguay has developed its second version of the Report Card on physical activity-related indicators in children and adolescents. The gender analysis showed inequalities between girls and boys. In summary, behavioral indicators have decreased while sources of influence have risen along the time.
ABSTRACT
Background: The first Uruguay's Report Card in 2018 based on the Global Matrix initiative showed the lack of information on physical activity in children and adolescents. This study mapped and examined the available evidence on physical activity-related indicators based on Uruguay's 2022 Report Card. Methods: The scoping review was reported using the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed for the period between 2018 and 2021, including electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS, Scielo, and Latindex), gray literature (Google Scholar, open access thesis, relevant websites of State-agencies and International Organizations), national and regional relevant journals, and reference lists of key texts. Two researchers independently conducted both the selection and data-charting process. Data items from each paper were charted based on the Population, Concept, and Context elements reflected in the objective of the review. A narrative synthesis and network plots were conducted to summarize the evidence. Results: A total of 20 papers were included in this review, consisting of four peer-reviewed scientific papers, three bachelor's theses, four official documents of State-agencies, four Government reports, of which three included national surveys, and five laws. Strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps were identified from the available evidence. We synthesized main challenges such as publishing scientific studies, establishing cross-national and cross-sectoral collaborations in research projects, generating high-quality data, reporting information on social inequality indicators that influence equitable distribution, or increasing access to public information. Our results support early emerging and growth research on this topic. However, despite existing papers on physical activity-related indicators in Uruguayan youths, the lack of high-quality evidence remains clear. Conclusion: The findings of this scoping review provide the best available evidence for identifying and overcoming the challenges of physical activity-related indicators research in Uruguay. The methodological framework used could be useful for countries involved in future editions of the Global Matrix initiative. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework, https://osf.io/hstbd/.
Subject(s)
Exercise , Adolescent , Child , Humans , UruguayABSTRACT
Resumen: Introducción: la medición precisa de la actividad física (AF) es clave para analizar su asociación con resultados de salud. Sin embargo, en Uruguay no existen estudios que comparen diferentes métodos para determinar la AF en adultos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la confiabilidad del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ) en estudiantes universitarios uruguayos y evaluar su validez concurrente en comparación con la AF basada en dispositivos. Método: 54 estudiantes universitarios de educación física completaron el IPAQ (versión larga) en dos ocasiones con 7 días de diferencia y utilizaron acelerómetros GeneActiv durante ese período. La confiabilidad se evaluó a través del Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase (ICC) y se utilizó el análisis de Bland-Altman para determinar la validez concurrente. Resultados: todos los dominios de AF mostraron niveles moderados de ICC. El transporte (ICC = 0,64), el tiempo libre (ICC = 0,58), y la AF total (ICC = 0,53) fueron los dominios con niveles moderados más altos. El total de minutos de AF evaluados a través del IPAQ en las dos ocasiones reportó un promedio de 773 minutos de diferencia (IC 95% 362,88-1.184,01). La diferencia de minutos de AF entre la evaluación con el IPAQ y con los acelerómetros es de 752 minutos (IC 95% 418,05-1.087.16). Conclusiones: el IPAQ sobreestima la AF respecto al acelerómetro en estudiantes universitarios uruguayos, sin embargo fue más confiable al considerar dominios de transporte y tiempo libre para los participantes que reportaron realizar un promedio menor a 400 minutos de AF semanal.
Summary: Introduction: precise measurement of physical activity (PA) is key to analyze its association with health results. However, there are no studies in Uruguay comparing the different methods to determine PA in adults. The study aims to analyze the reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Uruguayan university students and to assess its validity by comparing it to device-based monitoring PA. Method: 54 Physical Education university students completed the IPAQ (long version) on 2 occasions with a 7 day difference using GeneActive accelerometers during that period. Reliability was assessed with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine concurrent validity. Results: all PA domains evidenced moderate ICC levels. Transport (ICC= 0.64), free time (ICC= 0.58) and total PA (ICC= 0.53) were the domains with the highest moderate levels. The total number of minutes of PA assessed by IPAQ reported an average of a 773 minutes difference (CI 95%: 362.88; 1184.01). Difference of PA in minutes, considering the assessment with the IPAQ and the accelerometers is 752 minutes (CI 95%: 418.05; 1087.16). Conclusions: the IPAQ overestimates the PA when compared to the accelerometer in Uruguayan university students. However, it was more reliable when considering the transport and free time domains for participants who reported an average physical activity under 400 minutes per week.
Resumo: Introdução: a mensuração precisa da atividade física (AF) é fundamental para analisar sua associação com desfechos de saúde. No entanto, no Uruguai não existem estudos que comparem diferentes métodos para determinar a AF em adultos. Objetivo: analisar a confiabilidade do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) em estudantes universitários uruguaios e avaliar sua validade concorrente em comparação com a AF baseada em dispositivos. Método: 54 estudantes universitários de Educação Física preencheram o IPAQ (versão longa) em 2 ocasiões com 7 dias de intervalo e usaram acelerômetros GeneActiv durante esse período. A confiabilidade foi avaliada por meio do Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC) e a análise de Bland-Altman foi utilizada para determinar a validade concorrente. Resultados: todos os domínios da AF apresentaram níveis moderados de ICC. Transporte (ICC = 0,64), tempo livre (ICC = 0,58) e AF total (ICC = 0,53) foram os domínios com os níveis moderados mais altos. O total de minutos de AF avaliados pelo IPAQ em ambas as ocasiões apresentou diferença média de 773 minutos (IC 95%: 362,88; 1184,01). A diferença em minutos de AF entre a avaliação com o IPAQ e com os acelerômetros é de 752 minutos (IC 95%: 418,05; 1087,16). Conclusões: o IPAQ superestima a AF em relação ao acelerômetro em universitários uruguaios, porém, foi mais confiável ao considerar os domínios transporte e tempo livre para participantes que relataram realizar em média menos de 400 minutos de AF por semana.
